Flexible ECG Patch Layout for Extended Wear and Skin Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ECG monitoring systems are cumbersome, costly, and impractical for long-term ambulatory use, often leading to dislodgment and skin irritation, and fail to capture sporadic cardiac events due to limited adherence and discomfort, especially for women.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, extended wear electrocardiography patch with a reusable monitor recorder, designed for central chest placement, allowing relocation and wireless integration with other sensors, to facilitate long-term, comfortable monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ECG monitoring systems are used for long-term ambulatory monitoring, then comprehensive cardiac data can be captured, but the systems become cumbersome and cause skin irritation leading to dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The ECG monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: a disposable electrode patch with adhesive backing for skin contact, a flexible circuit board with ECG electrodes, and a reusable monitor recorder. This segmentation allows the adhesive patch to be optimized for comfort and skin adherence while the recording electronics are housed in a separate wearable unit, resolving the contradiction between monitoring reliability and patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode patch is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use or when adhesive failure occurs. This eliminates the need for repeated skin preparation and adhesive application, reducing skin irritation while maintaining reliable ECG signal acquisition during the monitoring period. The low cost of the disposable patch makes this approach economically viable for long-term monitoring.
2Reliability
If ECG electrodes are secured firmly to prevent dislodgment, then monitoring reliability improves, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode patch incorporates a protective adhesive layer and flexible substrate that cushion the interface between the electrode and skin. The adhesive is formulated to provide secure bonding without excessive tension on the skin, and the flexible circuit board conformally adapts to body contours to distribute pressure evenly, preventing both dislodgment and skin irritation before they occur.
3Duration of action of moving object
If traditional ECG systems are used for extended periods, then sporadic cardiac events can be captured, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates temporary disposable components (electrode patch) from permanent reusable components (monitor recorder). This allows the complex electronics to be housed in a single reusable unit that can be used across multiple monitoring sessions, while the simple disposable patch handles the interface with the patient's body, reducing overall system complexity for extended monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable monitor recorder is designed to work with multiple disposable electrode patches and can be used for various monitoring durations and applications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for different specialized devices for different monitoring scenarios, simplifying the overall system architecture for extended-term monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible backing, a flexible circuit, and a first sensor. The first sensor includes a first electrocardiographic electrode and a second electrocardiographic electrode, the first electrocardiographic electrode and the second electrocardiographic electrode configured to sense electrocardiographic signals. The apparatus further includes a monitor recorder and a second sensor. The second sensor is configured to sense a physiological parameter different from the electrocardiographic signals.